An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. II — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1911)

Vast! (^enema) which should be resoricd to only in respect of kings or king-like personages as well as in respect of women, old men, infants and persons of delicate constitutions for the purposes of eliminating the Doshas (accumulated in the organism; and of improving the strength and complexion. The use of this remedy does not entail any strict observance of continence or of any particular rules, diet, conduct, or conveyance on the part of the patient, nor is it attended with any possible complication though it is quite on a par with any other kind of Vasti as regards its excellent and highly beneficial therapeutic virtues. It may thus be applied at any time by an experienced physician in the manner of a Nirudha- Vasti (enema) whenever the patient wishes to be treated therewith. Equal parts of honey, oil and the decoction of castor roots, half a Pala of S'ata-pushpd, a quarter Pala of Sanidhava, and one entire Madana fruit should be mixed together by stirring the whole with a ladle. The whole compound thus prepared should be injected lukewarm into the rectum of the patient. This measure is called the MadhuTailika-Vasti. * 39.

Yukta-ratha & Dosha-hara Vastis ;—

The Yukta-ratha Vasti consists in injecting a medicinal solution surcharged with Vacha, Madhuka (honey),-f- oil, meat-essence, Saindhava, Pippali, Madana fruit, and the decoction (of Eranda) into the bowels of a patient.

* The quantity of the fluid should be nine Prasritas in all cases of the MsCdhu-Tailika Vasti and such-like Vastis (enemas).— /)«//«««.

t Vacha, salt, Madana-phala, Pippali, each should be one Karsha ; honey and oil four Prasritas and two Karshas each, and the decoction of Eranda roots four Prasritas and two Karshar, — Dallana,

In the text we find "Madhuka" which generally means Yashti-madhu. Here, however, it should mean "honey". This is evident from Dallana's CO mmentary.

.644 TiiK SUSIIRUTA SAMHITA [Chap. XXXVIII.

A compound of Deva-ddru, Vara (Triphald), Rdsnd, S'atd'puskpd, Vacha, honey, asafcx-tida and Saindhava salt, used together as a Vasti, is called the Dosha-hara

Vasti. 40-41SidcJha-Vasti :— This Vasti should be prepared with tht decoction of Pancha-mula, mixed with oil, honey and a paste of S'atdhvd, Pippali and Saindhava salt. Similar Vastis consisting of a decoction of Yava, Kola and Kulattha, and mixed with a paste of Pippali, Saindhava, Yashti-madhu and honey may also be used. This kind of Vasti is called a Siddha- Vasti. 42-43.

IVIUStadika- Vasti :— A Pala measure of each of the following drugs, viz., Mustd, Pdthd, Amritd (Guduchi), Tiktd, Vald, Rdsnd, Punarnavd, Manjishthd, Aragvadha, Us'ira, Trdyatndnd, Gokshura as well as of those included within the group of minor (Svalpa) Pancha-mula, and eight Madatia fruits should be boiled with an Adhaka measure of water down to its quarter part. The decoction thus prepared should again be boiled with the admixture of a Prastha measure of milk. The boiling should be continued till the watery part is completely evaporated and the milk alone is left behind. It should be then strained (through a piece of clothX This (cooked) milk should b2 mixed with honey, clarified butter,* and the extract of meat of any Jangala animal, each measuring a quarter of the (above-prepared milk) and a Karsha measure each of the following drugs, viz., powdered S'atdhvd, Phalini (Priyangu\ Yashti-madhii, Vatsaka, Rasdnjana and Saindhava. The application of the above in the manner of a Vasti proves curative in VAta-rakta, urinary complaints (Prameha), Edema, Haemorrhoids, Gulma, retentionp. 645 of urine, Haemorrhage (Rakta-Pitta), Erysipelas^ fever, and a looseness of the bowels. It acts as an aphrodisiac and vitalising tonic ; it also invigorates the eyesight and is anti colic in its action It is known as the MustadiVasti and is the best of all the Asthdpana enemas. 44.

* According to Dallana, however, a Pala measure of each of honey and clarified butter should be added.